Democratic House Committee leaders have announced a bold new target to achieve a 100% clean economy by 2050. The Committee’s plan to produce net-zero greenhouse gas pollution by 2050 is consistent with the global scientific community’s consensus that meeting this target is necessary to avoid the most catastrophic effects of the climate crisis. The plan…
AWEA: Ohio House Bill 6 will lead to higher electric bills & fewer jobs
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) expressed concern as the Ohio legislature took a major backwards step in its commitment to clean energy by passing House Bill 6 today. “Ohio consumers and manufacturers want greater commitment to renewable energy, not less. Yet, while many states are expanding access to cleaner sources of energy, Ohio’s legislature…
It’s a step backward for clean energy in Ohio
Ohio Senate and House concurred on HB 6 in a 51 – 38 vote today, which means a new energy tax on Ohio electric customers and a step back for clean energy in the state. The controversial nuclear and coal bailout legislation also cuts energy efficiency and renewable energy standards. HB 6 increases customer bills…
Vineyard Wind gains approval for Cape Cod transmission
Vineyard Wind has passed another hurdle. The Massachusetts Legislature enacted bi-partisan legislation authorizing the Barnstable Town Council to grant an easement for a portion of Covell’s Beach — which will allow for construction of the interconnection between Vineyard Wind. “Following more than a year of close collaboration between Barnstable and Vineyard Wind, we’re grateful for…
Portland General Electric proposes more renewables & battery storage
Portland General Electric (PGE) presented a new integrated resource plan to the Oregon Public Utility Commission for approval. The plan focuses on adding more renewable power, capturing more energy efficiency, and strengthening partnerships with customers to help balance energy supply and demand during periods of peak energy use. “This is the first resource plan developed since…
Industry applauds Governor Cuomo’s commitment to renewables & offshore wind
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act into law yesterday, America’s largest offshore wind procurement to date. The new legislation requires the state’s utilities to produce 70% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and calls for 100% carbon-free electricity generation by 2040. It also set a goal to…
New York announces largest procurement of offshore wind power in U.S. history
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced results of the largest procurement of offshore wind power in U.S. history. Two projects — Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind — were named as winners of the state’s first call for offshore wind project proposals. Once completed, the 816-MW Empire Wind project and the 880-MW Sunrise Wind project will…
Vineyard Wind in “ongoing discussions” with the BOEM
Vineyard Wind released an update today about ongoing discussions with the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on the project’s delayed issuance of a federal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): “Vineyard Wind has met with officials from the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and learned that BOEM is continuing its review of…
Ohio’s Senate approves controversial House Bill 6, a step back for renewables
Despite opposition and a letter sent by the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) urging opposition of the House Bill 6, Ohio’s Senate approved the controversial ruling. ACORE had strongly suggested Ohio Governor DeWine drop the unfair township referendum provision, which discriminates against wind development and, instead, implement more reasonable wind setback requirements. The energy…
Tri-State aims for more renewables and lower wholesale rates with new Responsible Energy Plan
Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association is pursuing an aggressive Responsible Energy Plan to transition to a cleaner energy portfolio, while ensuring reliability, increasing member flexibility, and with a goal to lower wholesale rates. “Our membership and board are unified in our pursuit of a cleaner, reliable and lower-cost resource portfolio,” said Rick Gordon, chairman of the cooperative’s…
Georgia Power plans for 72% more renewables by 2024
Georgia Power‘s 2019 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) was unanimously approved this week by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC). The IRP sets a goal of 72% more renewable generation by 2024, plus energy storage. “Through the IRP process, Georgia Power will continue to invest in a diverse energy portfolio including the development of renewable resources…
Another Wisconsin city commits to 100% clean energy
The La Crosse City Council in Wisconsin has unanimously passed a resolution establishing a goal of 100% clean, renewable energy across the city by 2050. La Crosse joins Eau Claire, Madison, Middleton, and Monona as the fifth Wisconsin city to adopt this goal. The city will also aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. In addition,…
First public meeting on New Jersey’s Draft 2019 Energy Master Plan tomorrow
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities announced that it will conduct the first two public stakeholder meetings on the Draft 2019 Energy Master Plan this week on Wednesday, July 17 in Trenton. Six meetings are planned in total. Through Executive Order 28, state Governor Murphy set an ambitious goal in June, setting New Jersey…
ACORE urges Ohio legislators to support pro-renewable policies
With the legislative session in Ohio scheduled to end on Wednesday, July 17, the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is urging state legislators to support pro-renewable policies and reject legislation that would stymie renewable energy growth in the state. “We remain deeply concerned about any potential rollback of Ohio’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS),” said…
Connecticut seeking input on draft solicitation for offshore wind
Connecticut recently signed into legislation a bill that supports offshore wind capacity for the state. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) planned to promptly begin the request for proposal (RFP) process, and a draft RFP has been released for up to 2 GW of offshore wind energy. “We congratulate the state of Connecticut for…
Nordex wins second U.S. order for its Delta4000 turbine series
The Nordex Group has received an order for 38 wind turbines from the N149/4.0-4.5 Delta4000 series. The wind turbines have an operating range of 4.8 MW and will be installed in Texas for a proposed 180-MW wind farm. The order includes supply and delivery and a Nordex premium service agreement with a term of five…
CanWEA applauds new carbon pricing in Canada
The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) applauds the leadership of the Government of Canada for adopting a price on carbon for the electricity sector in carbon backstop jurisdictions. This measure will ensure that electricity generation carbon emissions will be internalized in the cost of production. This will help level the playing field with renewables, like…
North Carolina manufacturer commits to 100% renewable electricity
Global label manufacturer, PM Raflatac, recently announced that its factory in Mills River is sourcing all of its electricity from renewable sources. The company says it is the first manufacturing facility in North Carolina to go with 100% clean energy, which is sourced through Charlotte-based Duke Energy’s NC Renewable Energy Program. “Through our REC program,…
US Wind applauds extension of offshore wind tax credit
Baltimore-based offshore wind developer US Wind Inc. is commending the introduction of federal legislation that would extend tax credits for offshore wind development that were initially set to expire this year. The new legislation includes the: Offshore Wind Incentives for New Development Act, introduced by Senators Markey (D-MA), Whitehouse (D-RI), and Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-02) Incentivizing…
Ohio seeking public comments on proposed new wind rules
The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) is seeking public input on proposed new rules requiring wind operators to report turbine incidents to the board. The OPSB recently issued proposed rules applicable to wind-powered electric generation facilities (in Ohio Administrative Code 4906-4-09). In relations to issuing the proposed new rules, the OPSB cited: “Recent weather-related incidents involving…